Laird Hamilton once said, “If you don't understand the wave, you can't respect it. And if you don't have respect, it's only a matter of time before the ocean teaches you to get some.” I find that often, the same can be said of our work in the Humanities. To properly respect a novel, a poem, or even an essay, it helps to have a basic understanding of the forms and structures—the work that it took to get a piece from a genesis to a final presentation.

In the dojo of writer’s craft, there is no better place to learn this respect than composition. Most universities across the country require at least two semesters of basic English composition or writing. This is because these classes provide necessary skills and knowledge that every single person will take through the rest of their major. Learning to write is not a practice reserved just for writers and humanists, it’s a fundamental tool for success.

Professor Andrew Tolhurst knows an awful lot about respecting both waves and compositional structures—He’s seen his fair share of wipe-outs and rough drafts. He is a surfing enthusiast, a father of two, a prior high school teacher, and now: a professor of English composition and writing. Today we are going to dive into what English composition can teach us more broadly, and how a surfing mentality ties into it all.